Långbanshyttanite is a very rare lead-manganese arsenate mineral known almost exclusively from the famous Långban mining district in Sweden. It typically occurs as small, tabular, colorless to white crystals and is a highly sought-after species for mineralogists specializing in rare secondary minerals.
Is this långbanshyttanite?
5-step field checkRun through these checks against the specimen in your hand. The more boxes tick, the more confident the ID.
- 1Test the hardnessTry to scratch långbanshyttanite with a known reference. Långbanshyttanite sits at Mohs 2, softer than the next harder reference, harder than the previous one.
- 2Check the streakDrag the specimen across an unglazed porcelain plate. Streak: white.
- 3Read the lusterHold the specimen under a strong light. Luster: vitreous.
- 4Match the color rangeCompare against the expected color range: colorless.
- 5Look at form & habitCrystal system: triclinic. Typical habit: tabular crystals, divergent aggregates.
Often confused with
Långbanshyttanite vs. its common look-alikes, and how to tell them apart in the field.
Often found alongside långbanshyttanite
Minerals reported to co-occur with långbanshyttanite. Spotting these in float or country rock is a strong cue you are in the right ground.
All properties
- Chemical formula
- [Mg(H₂O)₆]Pb₂Mn₂(AsO₄)₂(OH)₄
- Mohs hardness
- 2
- Density
- 3.591 g/cm³
- Colors
- Streak
- White
- Luster
- Vitreous
- Transparency
- Transparent
- Crystal system
- Triclinic
- Crystal habit
- Tabular crystals, divergent aggregates
- Cleavage
- Perfect on {001}
- Rarity
- Rare
- Uses
- Collector
- Host rock
- A last-stage hydrothermal mineral (likely below 70 ° C), in fractures and corrosion-veinlets that postdate regional metamorphism of the volcanic-hydrothermal ores and their host rocks
Where rockhounds find långbanshyttanite
Classic worldwide localities
- Långban mine, Filipstad district, Värmland County, Bergslagen ore province, Sweden
Field-hunting tip
Where it forms: A last-stage hydrothermal mineral (likely below 70 ° C), in fractures and corrosion-veinlets that postdate regional metamorphism of the volcanic-hydrothermal ores and their host rocks. If you start seeing calcite, antigorite, trigonite in float, you are in the right ground. Typical habit: tabular crystals, divergent aggregates. Train your eye for that shape before scanning the outcrop.
Common questions
How do you identify långbanshyttanite?+
Where is långbanshyttanite found?+
Is långbanshyttanite safe to handle?+
What rocks look like långbanshyttanite?+
What minerals are found with långbanshyttanite?+
What kind of rock does långbanshyttanite form in?+
What is långbanshyttanite used for?+
Find långbanshyttanite on the map
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